Q4 - Grade 4 Blackout Poetry 📄
Q4 - Grade 4 Blackout Poetry 📄
This month in art, our students dove into the world of blackout poetry, a creative process where they transformed pages from old books into expressive visual poems. First, they carefully selected words that stood out to them, crafting short poems filled with emotion, imagination, or reflection. Then, they brought their poems to life with powerful illustrations that connected to the meaning of their words. This project gave students the chance to think like both writers and artists, learning how to organize language and images to tell a story or share a message. The final pieces are bold, thoughtful, and full of personality—we can’t wait for you to see them on display!
Organization
Students practiced organization skills by planning the layout of their blackout poems, choosing meaningful words, blocking out the rest, and designing visuals that connected to their message. They learned how arranging both words and images thoughtfully can make a big impact.
Function
This project explored the function of words and visuals in art. Students discovered how each element in their artwork serves a purpose, whether it’s to express an emotion, share a message, or guide the viewer’s attention.
Q3 - 1st Grade African Masks
Our first graders took a colorful journey across continents as they explored the art of African-inspired masks! After learning about traditional mask designs and their cultural meanings, students used symmetry, shape, and texture to plan and create their own imaginative versions. With paint, paper, and plenty of creativity, each student crafted a unique mask full of personality and flair. These bold, expressive works celebrate both cultural appreciation and the power of student imagination! Stop by the spring arts festival, and see their amazing creations on display! 🌍✨
🎲 Roll, Design, Create!
Students used this interactive dice game to design their own African-inspired masks. Each roll revealed a different facial feature—from eyes to head shape—helping spark creativity and collaboration. It was a fun way to explore symmetry, pattern, and cultural inspiration while designing something totally unique! 🎭🖍️
Creative Thinking
Students will use creative thinking skills as they design unique masks inspired by African art. Through structured choice-making (like the Roll-an-African-Mask activity) and imaginative interpretation, students learn to generate ideas, combine features in original ways, and express themselves while honoring the cultural sources of their inspiration.
Change
In Art, students will explore how artistic traditions like mask-making have changed over time and how they can take inspiration from these traditions to create something new. By learning about the features and cultural uses of African masks, students begin to understand that art evolves across time and cultures—and that they are part of that creative evolution.
Q2
🐞🐛🐜
Exploring Insects!
🦟🪲🪳🕷️
In this exciting project, 3rd-grade students dove into the fascinating world of insects for artistic inspiration. They carefully observed real bugs, noting their unique shapes, patterns, and colors, and then transformed those observations into creative works of art. From drawing and coloring to experimenting with different materials, students discovered how insects can spark imagination and self-expression. The final pieces celebrate the wonders of nature and showcase each student’s ability to blend curiosity and creativity!
Join us as we pause during this video to focus on each insect’s unique features! Students will take a moment to closely observe the shapes, patterns, and details before sketching them in their own drawings. This hands-on approach encourages curiosity, improves observational skills, and sparks creativity—all while learning about the fascinating world of insects!
This unit invites students to explore their creativity and personal expression through the fascinating lens of insects. By studying the unique shapes, colors, and patterns found in nature, they learn how to transform observations into artistic ideas. Through drawing, painting, and discussing their work, students discover the many ways they can communicate and express themselves, reflecting on how art becomes a powerful language that connects us with the world around us.
Thinking Skills
In this unit, students enhance their thinking skills by closely examining insects and identifying distinct shapes, patterns, and colors. They engage in critical thinking as they question, analyze, and interpret their observations, deciding how best to transform these ideas into artwork. Through problem-solving and experimentation, students learn to make creative decisions that reflect their understanding of insect forms while pushing the boundaries of their imaginations. This process fosters deeper inquiry and confidence in their ability to think critically and inventively.
Form
This unit places a strong emphasis on Form by guiding students to closely examine the shapes, lines, and structures that define different insects. Through careful observation, they learn how each insect’s unique physical features—such as wings, legs, and antennae—can be translated into artistic elements. By focusing on the essence of an insect’s body, students gain a deeper appreciation for how form influences artmaking, from composition and proportion to the overall visual impact of their creations.
Q1
K - 5 Collaborative Project
Unity Quilt
In this project, students explored the concept of unity by designing their own textile squares using triangles and squares made from construction paper. Inspired by the work of textile artist Libs Elliott, who uses computer-generated patterns, each student created a unique square within a specific color palette. Together, these individual pieces form a larger collaborative mural, representing how individual creativity contributes to a collective whole. This artwork highlights the power of connection and collaboration, as each square plays an essential role in the final composition.
The Unity in Art: Collaborative Textile Mural project connects to the transdisciplinary theme Who We Are by encouraging students to explore their individual identities while contributing to a larger community effort. Each student creates a unique textile square using triangles and squares, which reflects their personal creativity and choices. However, when combined with the squares of their classmates, these individual pieces form a unified, collaborative mural. This process mirrors how individuals come together to form a community, emphasizing concepts of identity, teamwork, and collective responsibility—central ideas in understanding who we are as both individuals and as part of a larger group. Through this project, students explore how their personal contributions impact and enhance the shared experience of the group.
Collaboration
Students will use their collaboration skills by working together to create a unified mural, understanding that their individual textile squares contribute to a larger class project. They will need to share materials, communicate ideas, and coordinate efforts to ensure that their designs fit into the collective mural. This project fosters teamwork as students see how their creative choices affect the overall outcome, teaching them to value both individual expression and group success.
Connection
This project connects to the key concept of Connection by showing how individual parts can come together to form a unified whole. Each student’s textile square is a unique creation, but when combined with others, it contributes to a larger mural.
This emphasizes the idea that while each piece is distinct, they are all interconnected, illustrating how individual contributions are part of a bigger, harmonious outcome. Through this, students explore the relationship between their work and the broader class project, highlighting the importance of collaboration and interdependence.